BODY COUNT – Merciless

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8.0

• Bands:
  BODY COUNT
• Duration: 00:42:12
• Available from: 11/22/2024
• Label:

• Century Media Records

Streaming not yet available

The pioneers of metal rap Body Count immediately earned the respect of the metal community with the connections, the strength and brutality of their proposal, together with the credibility and star power of a character like Ice T.
More than thirty years on the scene means that respect has become intergenerational, but having the same impact and relevance as your debut in 2024 means that competition is almost non-existent: no one has managed to even come close to the intensity, lyrical power and to the crossover goodness of the Los Angeles group. Of course, having one of the greatest rappers in history on the microphone helps a lot, but the guitarist and right-hand man Ernie C should also be celebrated, a silent hero and another very strong player in the world of metal from an unparalleled lineup.
The trail of post-'reactivation' albums (the group stopped after “Murder 4 Hire” due to the death of three members of the group) today comes to equal those of the original lineup, with a momentum that surpasses the album of 2016: “Merciless” is in fact the heaviest and angriest album in the group's history, which explains violence and sadism in very direct, graphic and explicit ways evoked right from the tacky and truculent cover.
Don't expect the same naivety in the songs of the collection, however: the title track prepares the ground by opening with an oppressive tense midtempo, and from the cinematic storytelling of “Purge”, which takes up the film saga of the same name, a real carnage is unleashed sound on sustained thrash and hardcore bases. Joining the tracklist – continuing the tradition of a long list of guests of honor – are George Fisher of Cannibal Corpse, Joe Badolato of Fit For An Autopsy and Max Cavalera of Soulfly/Cavalera Conspiracy, who sign a series of bullets never like this adhering to the most strictly metal expressive standards. Howard Jones (ex Killswitch Engage) is instead exploited in a complete manner, giving “Live Forever” melodic nuances that broaden the chromatic palette of the album.
In such a context it is practically absurd to find collaboration with a music giant like David Gilmour. The cover of “Comfortably Numb” is the most unexpected thing you can find in a BC album, let alone in BC's most extreme album: nevertheless we can talk about a risky, ambitious and successful cover, which combines Gilmour's guitar embroideries with a personal and touching reinterpretation, in which the street poetry finds a beautiful contrast with the ethereal solos of the monumental Pink Floyd guitarist.
Leaving aside these inspired variations on the theme, it should be noted that the best of the album lies, as always, in the hybrid excellences that only BC can sign, such as the politicized boom-bap of “Fuck What You Heard”, the rereading of the street rap classic “Mic Contract”, the funk groove that permeates “Lying Motherfuka”, the leaden words of “Do or Die”.
Knowing that sixty-year-old musicians can be unapproachable in their specialty, hungry, energetic and motivated leaves you speechless.
Observing how “Merciless” is the most ferocious album they have ever released, imbued with a middle finger attitude that does not look at anyone, confirms once again that Body Count are unique and untouchable. At this point, in all likelihood, even irreplaceable.